By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
On the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, June Francis, a prominent Canadian anti-racism expert, highlighted the deep-rooted connection between North America’s wealth and the exploitation of enslaved Africans.
Francis, chair of the Anti-Racism Data Committee of British Columbia and a professor at Simon Fraser University, stated, “Much of the wealth that we see in all of North America can be traced back to this forced bondage.” She criticized the persistent ignorance and systematic erasure of this history from educational curricula, noting that many Canadians are still unaware of this past.
Francis argued that although some corrective measures have been implemented, they fall short. She emphasized that “a formal apology from the government” is essential to addressing the enduring impact of racial injustice and fostering a more inclusive future.
Source: Africanews
